My 2012 M3W did not have the frame brace nor the timing gear upgraded by the previous owner, so I assumed that he hadn't upgraded the rear sprocket, either. I'm in the process of installing a SuperMax sprocket. I was surprised to see that I have the newer, black-anodized hub. I'm assuming that it's possible that it was so-equipped from the factory, as someone said something about "early 2012" models and I have no idea whether mine fits that temporal designation. When I pulled the hub off to replace the tire (wasn't going to put back a 10K-mile tire after the struggle to get the wheel off), I noticed that the lug bolts had copper-colored anti-seize on them. Somehow, that isn't what I would have expected from Malvern. Had to clamp the wheel to my pickup tailgate to resist the torque from the breaker bar while loosening the lug bolts. My air impact gun wasn't sufficient.
To the point, I'm curious as to whether my hub is original or upgraded. Is it true that "late 2012" models had the black hub? Can anyone shed light on whether the factory uses anti-seize on the lug bolts and, if so, what color? Why do I care? I'm not sure, or maybe I just don't want to face my personal quirks.
The tire recommended by a friend in the business is the Kumho Ecsta PA31. It's a directional tire, so I told them to consider it to be a left-side wheel. The Supermax pulley (sprocket) was recommended by Morgan Spares of New England. Like the old-style sprocket, it is flanged only on the wheel side.
I'm hoping henceforth to roll along without screeching like a hinge desperately in need of oil.
Last edited by AncientMariner; 19/08/19 06:44 PM.
